UNION PROCURES DISMISSAL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 43, 14 November 1939, Page 3

UNION PROCURES DISMISSAL

Man With Seven Children

SEASONAL WORKERS’ DUES

A DIFFICULTY

Difficulties Encountered by seasonal workers, who have to work iti several occupations, in paying their union dues, were remarked on at a meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council last night, when the council dismissed at the request of a union the father oi seven children. A letter, dated November 7, was received from Mr. P. M. Butler, secretary of the Wellington General Labourers’ Union, calling on the council to dismiss a man employed under scheme 13 on the ground that his full union dues had not been paid. . The mayor, Air. Andrews, explained that the employee was married and had seven children. The secretary, of the union had asked for his dismissal in September for the same reason, and the council officers, in compliance with the award, had dismissed him. A few days later the private secretary to the Alinister of Labour, Air. Webb, had requested that the man be reinstated, stating that Air. W-ebb would be personally responsible for the man’s dues. The man was reinstated, but now a request was received for his dismissal again. There had been a number of difficult cases among the 78 non-unionists in the council's employ who had been reported. Some of them were already members of at least one other union, and he bad evidence of at least one man being asked to pay a third of a year’s membership dues to a third uiyon in one financial year. The General Labourers’ Union had apparently endeavoured to arrange special terms with other unions so that men could pay an increased due that would give the worker the right to work as a member of any other union for part of the year, but remain a member of the General Labourers’ Union while he was working under scheme 13. It had apparently not succeeded, and the position was most difficult for seasonal workers such as slaughtermen. Tn the particular case before the council the Alinister had apparently not paid the man’s dues, and. the mayor said,, he was afraid that the council bad no option but to accede to the request of the union and dispense with the man’s services.

A recent letter from the union slated that Air. Webb had been disappointed with the man’s inaction.

On the motion of Ur. W. A. F. Hall, seconded by Cr. H. V. Horlor, it was decided that the council accede to the Union’s request and dispense with the man’s services.